Gas burner having selectable



1953 G; F. JENKINS 2,648,378

GAS BURNER HAVING SELECTABLE PRIMARY AIR INLETS g Filed Dec. 29,- 1949 ALTE RNATE POSITION #l Ihwentor GEORGE E JENKINS g IV M attorney PatentedAug. 11, 1953 GAS BURNER HAVING SELECTABLE PRIMARY AIR INLETS' George F.Jenkins, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Minneapolis-Honeywell RegulatorCompany, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware ApplicationDecember 29, 1949, Serial No. 135,623

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements ini gas burners and, moreparticularly, to improvements in a shield for adjusting the size of aprimary air opening of a gas pilot burner and for shielding said primaryair opening from flames or drafts which occasionally enguh said burner.

In heating systems, both commercial and domestic, it is common toprovide a pilot burner for igniting a main burner. During the heatingseason, the pilot burner is continuously burning while the main burneris only ignited from time to time depending upon the demand. Sometimes,due to a draft or other operating condition of the main burner, when itis ignited, the flames from the burner will engulf the pilot burnersufficiently to cause ignition of the gas at the orifice of the spudpositioned within the pilot burner body adjacent the primary air holetherein. Such a burning of the pilot burner gas, will prevent properignition of the main burner inasmuch as there will be no fiame from thetip of the pilot burner to come in contact with the gas issuing from themain burner. Under such circumstances, there may be a dangerousaccumulation of unburned gas within the burner before ignition takesplace, resulting in a damaging explosion.

In the above-mentioned type of heating system, it has been customary toprovide means for adjusting the size of the air openings of the pilotburner to adapt said burner for use with different types of gas. It hasalso been customary to provide some type of shielding means that willprevent the flame of the main burner from coming into the primary airopenings of the pilot burner to cause ignition of the gas therein.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple combination of apilot burner and a shield therefor that provides a positivepredetermined air adjustment for the pilot burner, for use with aparticular type of gas, and simultaneously provide a shielding means forthe primary air openings.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reliable shield for apilot burner which may be applied in any angular relationship to thepilot burner and still provide a single predetermined adjustment of thesize ol the primary air opening.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple shield meanswhich may be selectively used or not used, depending upon the type ofgas to be burned in the pilot burner.

Still a further object oi the invention is to provide an air adjustingshield for a pilot burner which so cooperates with the body shape of thepilot burner that a predetermined air adjustment takes place by the mereplacing of the shield on the burner body in any position that it mayassume thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide an air shield ofinexpensive construction which does not require skilled workmen toinstall it.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent upon reading thefollowing detailed description thereof in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a side eievational view of a thermoelectric generating unitembodying the invention, with portions thereof broken away;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the unit taken along the line 2-2of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevational view of a shield per se, being apart of said unit.

Referring to Figure l of the drawing, a burner body I l is shown asbeing supported by a bracket i2, which also supports a thermopile l3.Openings M in the bracket l2 are provided to receive a bolt forfastening the bracket to a main burner unit (not shown). As the detailsof the connections between the bracket and the thermopile and pilotburner form no part of the invention, it'willsuffice to say that theymay be secured in any suitable manner well known in the art.

Positioned at the upper end of the burner body II, is a burner tip l5having flame orifices it connected by a runner slot ll.

As can be best seenin Figure 2 of the drawing, the lower portion Ha ofthe burner body is hexagonal in shape. It is to be understood, however,that the body portion 1 la may be square or have any other even numberof sides, so long as they are of equal width and symmetrical to the axisof the burner. Extending diametrically through the lower portion lta ofthe burner body are primary air openings 18. Both of these air openingsare necessary, when the unit is burning liquid petroleum gas or naturalgas, but only one of the openings is needed where manufaetured or mixedgas is being used.

A shield I9 is the means for sealing oii one of the primary air openingsit whenever manufactured or mixed gas is used. This shield has one side20 that has an inner surface of the same width as one of the sides ofthe burner body portion I ia. Two adjacent sides 2i and 22 are disposedat the same angle to the sides 20 as the angle between adjoining sidesof the body portion Ha. With this arrangment, it is obvious thatnomatter what angular relationship the shield has with respect to thebody portion Ha, the surfaces 20, 21 and 22 would be in engagement withsaid portion I la and one of the air openings [8 will be covered and theother will be open. This may be best seen in Figure 2 which shows twoalternate positions for the air openings l8 in angular relationship withthe shield member. It will be noted that a part of the shield member isadapted to fit snugly against one-half of the surface of the bodyportion Ila with the remainder of the shield member spaced from theother half of said body portion. It is deemed obvious that the remainingportion of the shield may take most any form, so long as it providesadequate space between the side wall of the shield and the uncoveredopening I8.

Extending downwardly from the surface of the shield which engages asurface of the valve body, is an arm 26 of a supporting bracket for thesleeve which also comprises a washerlike portion 21 having a bore 28.The center of bore 28 is the same distance from the inner surface of theportions and 26 as between the center of the burner body and the outersurface of the body which bears against the portion 20 of the sleeve.Extending upwardly from the opposite side of the washerlike portion 21,opposite the leg 26, is an arm 29 having a detent 30 pressed inwardlyfrom the surface thereof. The innermost portion of the detent 30 isspaced from the inner surface of the leg 26 a distance equal to thewidth of the body portion I la, or very slightly less than said width.It is thus seen that when the sleeve 19 is positioned around the bodyportion Ila, with the upper surface of the washer portion 21 bearingagainst the lower end of said body portion, the detent 30 willfrictionally engage the body and hold the portion 20 of the shieldfirmly against the burner and over the opening l8.

A conventional burner spud 3| has a threaded orifice portion 32 which isscrew-threaded into the lower end of the burner body portion Ila so asto bring an annular bearing shoulder, formed by an enlarged grip portionthereof, against the underside of the washer-like portion 21 of thesleeve to securely clamp the shield member against the bottom end of thebody portion Ila. An orifice 33 at the upper end of the member 32 issubstantially in transverse alignment with the air openings I8.

Screw-threaded on a lower externally threaded portion 34 of the spud, isa conventional conduit coupling unit 3536 for connecting the pilotburner to a gas supply line.

It will be observed from mere inspection of the drawing that the shieldmember may be made from cheap material by first cutting the shield tothe right pattern and then bending the cut material into the shape shownin the drawing. The space between the two ends of the shield walls 25 ispreferably kept to a minimum although a relatively wide spacetherebetween does not prevent the shield from performing its function.

From the above description of the invention, it will be observed that aburner adapted to burn liquid or natural gas, may be converted into aburner for manufactured or mixed gas by the simple process of removingthe spud 3i from the burner body, placing the shield around the lowerend of the burner body in an angular position, and then reinserting thespud. It is thus seen that the above simple changeover could be made byan unskilled person without having to remove the burner from itsinstallation and without having to actually see the burner while thechangeover is being made. As no adjustment other than the merepositioning of the shield on the burner is necessary, it is possible bythe mere feeling of the elements to make the abovementioned change.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention is described above, itis apparent that an infinite number of even sides would form a roundbody portion lia, which would still be a satisfactory shape. As in themodification where the portion Ha has fiat sides of substantial area, nomatter what angular relationship a shield, having a rounded bearingsurface, would have on a round burner portion Ha, either one hole wouldbe open or a part of each hole, the sum of which would equal one hole,would be open. Therefore, any of the above described modifications ofthe invention would provide a satisfactory arrangement or designalthough the preferred embodiment is deemed to be the better in that onelarge hole is less likely to clog than two smaller holes.

As other modifications of the invention may be made without departingfrom the spirit thereof, it is to be understood that the scope of theinvention is to be determined solely from the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A gas burner comprising a burner body having the circumference of atleast the lower portion thereof formed of six equal flat sides, a burnertip at the upper end of said body having a laterally extending orificetherein for directing a flame against a thermocouple, diametricallyopposed air openings through two of said sides, a spud constructed tosecurely fit within the bottom of said burner and having a bearingshoulder thereon opposing the lower end of said body, a sleeve-likeshield having six fiat sides, one of the shields sides having an innersurface equal in circumferential width to that of one of said bodysides, the adjacent side of said shield at each end of said one sidebeing longer than said one side and making the same angle with said oneside as the angle between the sides of said body, and bracket meansextending from said shield and clamped between said lower end of saidbody and said bearing shoulder on said spud.

2. A gas burner comprising a burner body having the circumference of atleast the lower portion thereof formed of equal fiat sides, a burner tipat the upper end of said body having an orifice therein for directing aflame against a thermocouple, diametrically opposed air openings throughtwo of said sides. a spud constructed to securely fit within the bottomof said burner and having a bearing shoulder thereon opposing the lowerend of said body, a sleeve-like shield having at least two flat sides,one of the shields sides having an inner surface equal incircumferential width to that of one of said body sides, the adjacentside of said shield at each end of said one side being longer than saidone side and making the same angle with said one side as the anglebetween the sides of said body, and bracket means extending from saidshield and clamped between said lower end of said body and said bearingshoulder on said spud.

3. A gas burner comprising a burner body having the circumference of atleast the lower portion thereof formed of equal fiat sides, a burner tipat the upper end of said body having an orifice therein for directing aflame against a thermocouple, diametrically opposed air openings throughtwo of said sides, a sleeve-like shield having at least two flat sides,one of the shields sides having an inner surface equal incircumferential width to that of one of said body sides, the adjacentside of said shield at each end of said one side being longer than saidone side and making the same angle with said one side as the anglebetween the sides of said body, and bracket means extending from saidshield and secured to said body.

4. A gas burner comprising a burner body having the circumference of atleast the lower portion thereof formed of an even number of symmetricalflat sides, a burner tip at the upper end of said body, diametricallyopposed air openings through two of said sides, a spud constructed tosecurely fit within the bottom of said burner and having a bearingshoulder thereon opposing the lower end of said body, a sleeve-likeshield having at least two flat sides, one of the shields fiat sideshaving an inner surface equal in circumferential width to that of one ofsaid body sides, the adja cent side of said shield at each end of saidone side being longer than said one side and making the same angle withsaid one side as the angle between the sides of said body, and bracketmeans extending from said shield and clamped between said lower end ofsaid body and said bearing shoulder on said spud.

5. In combination, an elongated and hollow burner body having an evennumber of equal width sides, an air hole in each of two diametricallyopposed sides of said body, a sleeve-like shield for encircling saidbody and having adjacent sides which engage a circumferential half of aportion of said body sides adjacent said holes to cover one of said airholes regardless of the circumferential position of said shield withrespect to said body, the remaining portion of said shield being shapedso as to be spaced from the remaining circumferential portion of saidbody sides, and means for holding said shield on said burner body.

6. In combination, an elongated and hollow burner body having an evennumber of identically shaped sides, an air hole in each of twodiametrically opposed sides of said body, a spud extending into thelower end of said burner body, a sleeve-like shield for encircling saidbody and having adjacent sides which engage a circumferential half of aportion of said body sides to cover one of said air holes regardless ofthe circumferential position of said shield with respect to said body,the remaining portion of said shield being shaped so as to be spacedfrom the remaining circumferential portion of said body sides, andbracket means having a washer-like portion fitting around said spud forholding said shield on said burner body in the above-mentioned position.

7. In combination, an elongated and hollow burner body having an evennumber of equal width sides, an air hole in each of two diametricallyopposed sides of said body, a sleeve-like shield for encircling saidbody and having adjacent sides which engage a circumferential half of aportion of said body sides to cover one of said air holes regardless ofthe circumferential position of said shield with respect to said body,the remaining portion of said shield being shaped so as to be spacedfrom the remaining circumferential portion of said body sides, and meansfor holding said shield on said burner body in the above-mentionedposition, said means comprising a generally U-shaped bracket with oneend thereof connected to said shield and the other end thereof having adetent for frictionally engaging a side of said body.

8. In combination, an elongated and hollow burner body having an evennumber of equal width sides, an air hole in each of two diametricallyopposed sides of said body, a sleeve-like shield for encircling saidbody and having adjacent sides which engage a circumferential half of aportion of said body sides to cover one of said air holes regardless ofthe circumferential position of said shield with respect to said body,the remaining portion of said shield being shaped so as to be spacedfrom the remaining circumd ferential portion of said body sides, a spudsecured in the lower end of said body and means for holding said shieldon said burner body, said means comprising a bracket having a portionwhich extends between said spud and the adjacent end of said burnerbody.

9. The combination comprising a burner having diametrically opposedholes for the admission of air, a shield having a sleeve-like memberwith a first portion thereof shaped so as to be engageable with andextend only half way around said burner when applied thereto and asecond portion shaped so as to be spaced from and to extendsubstantially the rest of the way around the burner, and means forholding said shield on said burner with half of the air holes covered.

10. A combination as described in claim 9, wherein said holding means isadapted to frictionally engage said burner and hold the burner engagingportion of said shield firmly against the burner.

11. In a shield for a burner having an even number of concentric fiatsides and an air hole in each of two diametrically opposed sidesthereof, the combination comprising a sleeve-like member having an evennumber of longitudinally extending surfaces, half of which are an equalperpendicular distance from a longitudinal axis of said sleeve and theother half of which are a greater perpendicular distance from said axis,and means for supporting said shield.

12. A shield for a burner having a body portion with an even number ofequal width sides and an air hole in each of two diametrically opposedsides thereof, said shield comprising a generally U-shaped mountingbracket having friction means on one leg thereof for holding said shieldin assembled position, said bracket having a bore through substantiallythe center of the base of said U-shaped bracket, and a sleeve-likemember on the other leg of said bracket having substantially half of itscircumference concentric with the axis of said bore and the remainderthereof a greater distance from said axis.

13. A shield for a burner of the type having concentric side walls andair openings in at least two opposed side walls thereof, said shieldcomprising a tubular member having substantially half of itscircumference formed of substantially fiat sides, the surfaces of whichare perpendicularly equidistant from a common point, and the remainderof the circumference being a greater distance from said point than saidperpendicular distance.

14. A shield for a burner having a body portion with an even number ofequal Width sides and an air hole in each of two diametrically opposedsides thereof, said shield comprisin a mounting bracket for holding saidshield in assembled position, said bracket having a bore therethroughand a sleeve-like member on said bracket having substantially half ofits circumference concentric with the axis of said bore and theremainder thereof a greater distance from said axis. GEORGE F. JENKINS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 562,410 Moon June 23, 1896 2,429,360 Kells Oct. 21, 1947FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 350,570 Germany Mar. 21, 1922

